Square Silk Scarves

'Tis the season for silk scarves.

 Here are a few of my favourite squares.

Age of Reason - Key to My Dark Heart

Fabryan- Sofia scarf

Silken Favours - Succulent Strawberries from the Heart Collection

Modern Love - Dhalias

Liberty - Ianthe

A visit to Brighton: Age of Reason scarves, Alexa de Castilho jewellery and St Leonards leather bags and purses

A visit to Brighton...

...to the Age of Reason studios a stunning high ceilinged work place, lit up with candles for an afternoon sample sale.

 I am huge fan of Ali's work (blogged about here and here). I love her free flowing drawings, her naughty sense of humour and her choice of colours: vibrant pinky corals, dashes of orange and soothing, flattering greys. I had to visit her sample sale not only to check out her wares, but to see her beautiful studio. I see tantalising glimpses of on Instagram; it did not disappoint and it was lovely to see it in candle-light.

Some Age of Reason scarves and pocket squares

St Leonards leather bags made in simple classic shapes from bridal leather in the most lovely colours (below is green, and white).  These bags are gorgeous.

Alexa de Castilho jewellery: gold, silver, bronze, vintage, skulls, fangs. The first time I have seen Alexa's jewellery, and it is *love*

End of a lovely day *sigh*

Age of Reason scarves at Best of Britannia

Age of Reason scarves. These, I love.
Punk owls, British bulldogs, roller skates, pirate queens.
No more words are needed (last blogged about here).

Favourite scarves - Age of Reason

If the classic square silk scarf conjours up images of ladies who wear them on the head neatly knotted under the chin, small handbag perched on the knee, think again.  Take a look at Age of Reason scarves, my new favourite scarf designer-maker. Farewell crunchy fake silk twill which generates enough static to light up Blackpool Tower, decorated with twee-ness.

Reasons to love Age of Reason:
(1) They believe that silk scarves should never be boring - their scarves are printed with irreverant, slightly warped and twisted imagery (their words, and I would have to agree)
(2) Their scarves are 100% silk, Made in England - they are big supporters of British design and manufacturing.
(3) Their website currently features a super-bendy-yoga-dancer chick demonstrating different ways you can wear your Age of Reason scarf, the first of which is the classic blindfold.
(3) Founder Ali Mapletoft looks like the sort of gal you could sip cocktails with at the Savoy and be assured of good conversation all the while

I am in love with Age of Reason's punk owl who features in their AW12 designs

Helen Chatterton scarves

I spotted these great scarves by Helen Chatterton at the Handmade in Britain event at the Oxo Tower in May - maps of London printed on silk or cotton lawn printed on one side, backed with linen. She also makes scarves with maps of Liverpool - have a look here.

a slice of London on a scarf

a little lavender square of London (handy little tag to hang it in your wardrobe to repel moths)

Cressida Bell's recipes (and scarves too)

For those that eat often at Chez Obsorn, it can be a problem that the menu has little variation.  Spring brings a collective sigh of relief at the end of the lasagne and fish pie season, and heralds the beginning of a different kind of monotony for six months.

I like this poster by Cressida Bell a lot, and not just because of the design.

Taking a simple trio of ingredients (onions, tomoatos and beans), Cressida has 16 recipes for meat eaters on one poster, and 16 recipes for vegetarians on another.  It's aimed at students, many of whom are fending for themselves for the first time (but if, by some miracle, my children can afford to go to Uni, I hope they will be able to cook before they get there) - hence the poster style.  But this would not look out of place at Chez Osborn or any other reputable family 'restaurant' you know.

Cressida Bell is first and foremost a textile designer, of accessories and things for the home.  She has some beautiful scarves - a friend has the delphiniums; I rather like the look of the ibis print:

The Tweed Run

The Tweed Run, established in 2009, is a 'metropolitan bike ride with a bit of style' - this year the 10 mile bike ride round London takes place on 9th April at 11am in Central London taking in famous sites (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace etc), stopping for tea, and ending up out in Shoreditch for a 'knees-up'.
But this is a bike ride with a difference: All participants are encouraged to wear their best tweed!! Hurrah!

Sadly for the sporty-tweedy types, registration is now full - but you can cheer yourself up with a bit of retail therapy from the Tweed Run Webshop, 'The Gentleman Cyclist Outfitter'.

Tweed cap - lined in the Tweed Run bicycle pattern by illustrator Michael Chapman (see hip flask, and silk scarf below), handmade in England.

Hip flask - hand made in Sheffield out of pewter, with Tweed Run bicycle pattern etched on:

Silk cycling scarf printed in Scotland (currently out of stock)

winter woolies

Just the thing for snowy weather - gorgeous gloves and other knitwear made by Quinton & Chadwick available online, and from stockists (Anna in Primrose Hill).

  

Spotted at the Selvedge Christmas Fair: Wallace & Sewell - fine silk woven scarves in vibrant colours.  I like this silk and cashmere 'verbena' scarf, the aqua blue and green is a great combo.  They also make textiles for interior furnishings - throws and cushions - which would brighten up any gloomy December day.  

Both Quinton & Chadwick and Wallace & Sewell have ranges available at the Designers at Tate.

Primrose Hill Designer Fair

On Saturday I popped along to the Primrose Hill Designer Fair - lots of great Christmas present buying opportunities. Clara Francis was there with her beaded butterflies and other creatures. I particularly love this necklace with butterflies, flowers and hummingbird, pictured here with a silver bee necklace.

More necklaces...and some of her classic butterfly and moth necklaces.

Quniton & Chadwick, scarves and hats made in Scotland, was also there.  This one is wool and angora, super cosy.